Warriors To Be Sold

May 23, 1986|By Rich Lorenz.

The Golden State Warriors have scheduled a news conference for Friday afternoon to announce the sale of the team to Jim Fitzgerald and Dan Finnane and possibly to name George Karl coach. Franklin Mieuli, owner of the National Basketball Association team for the last 24 years, addressed employees about the impending sale Tuesday before leaving for a European vacation. The sale will be for an estimated $18 million. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Karl has been signed for more than $2 million over four years. . . . The Bulls will play an exhibition game againt the Utah Jazz Oct. 15 in Iowa City.

-- Former Tulsa kicker Stu Crum has filed a $1.2 million lawsuit against the Chicago Blitz of the USFL, alleging he was prevented from pursuing a pro football career because of the team`s actions. Crum played for the Oklahoma Outlaws of the USFL in 1984 during their only season in Tulsa, but retired midway through the season. After the end of the USFL`s spring season, his NFL contract rights were traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, who later signed him to a $71,000 contract. The suit alleges that while Crum was at the Chiefs`

training camp, he was informed the Blitz had obtained his USFL rights. He said that action prevented him from playing in the NFL. The Blitz did not field a team in 1985 and terminated Crum`s contract in December, 1984, the lawsuit alleges.

Akron has learned it will not be allowed to enter the Mid-American Conference when Northern Illinois leaves. ``It was no surprise. It was expected,`` said Akron sports information director Ken MacDonald.

Podres has surgery

Former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Johnny Podres has undergone open heart surgery. He is expected to be hospitalized for another week to 10 days. . . . For a passing nighthawk, it was a real sacrifice fly when Springfield beat Madison 8-7 in a Midwest League game. With Springfield leading 6-4 in the 10th, Joe Cunningham hit what should have been a routine fly ball to center. The ball hit the nighthawk and fell for a two-run double. The bird died instantly.